TO: All Confirmation Teachers, Staff and Clergy in District 10: 15 March 2010
We look forward to welcoming you for the Diocesan Confirmation Service here on Sunday, April 18, at 4 p.m. I am sure you are as excited as we are. The intent of this letter is to provide you with specific instructions for this service and, as the hosting parish, to inform you what we need from you in advance of the service.
Your confirmation contact is Ed Ramos, St. Paul’s Communications Director: admin@stpaulspaterson.org, 973-278-7900, x11. Please COPY and SHARE this letter AS SOON AS POSSIBLE with your staff, teachers, leaders and clergy. Before we launch into logistics, a couple contextual points:
All are welcome! Whether you are officially “presenting” or “sponsoring” someone for confirmation, we are ALL re-presenting Christ and Christ’s Church on behalf of the candidates for confirmation! We especially encourage elected leaders from companion congregations, notably Vestry members and District/Diocesan representatives.
Why is this service bilingual? Many members of our parish speak and understand only Spanish, including many of our confirmation candidates. Several others are bilingual but prefer to worship in their native Spanish tongue. Sharing this bilingual worship is an act of solidarity by you and a gift for us. It means a great deal to the members of our parish to share this sacred event in both languages, stretching our collective comfort level for Christ’s sake as we strive to be the all-embracing Church we are. While this is a bilingual service, it leans toward English. All parts of the service are printed in both languages, though not all parts are actually said in both languages – as for example is the case with the lessons and the music. Anything in BOLD is an indication that the congregation can respond in the language that brings them closer to God, English or Spanish. You will note that the celebrant(s) of the service will go back and forth in English and Spanish – but again, you can still respond in the language of your choice.
A. Everyone has a Part in this Celebration! Since liturgy is a work of ALL God’s people, this is a labor of love by everyone, not just St. Paul’s. I invite you to share that blessed responsibility as fully as you can. Below are specific ways in which we can make this liturgy one that truly represents us all.
1. Liturgy-sharing. Please encourage your people to assist as acolytes, chalice-bearers, lectors and ushers, as is appropriate. We need: 2 Lectors (one in Spanish, one in English), 1 Intercessor (bilingual), 6 chalice-bearers, and as many acolytes as wish to serve. We especially welcome folks who may want to use their Spanish! Members of St. Paul’s will serve as Greeters during the service, guiding people to communion stations and taking up the elements and the collection.
2. Music-sharing. We invite your choirs to join ours to make the music ministry happen on that day. St. Paul’s Music Director, Susan Gadd, and your music directors will provide leadership for the Companion Choir – a combined group from all our choirs. Play an instrument? Contact Susan Gadd, susangadd@hotmail.com or 973-224-7318. Rehearsal for Companion Choir & Instrumentalists: Sunday, April 18, 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. @ St. Paul’s.
3. Food-Sharing. A light reception will follow the service in our parish hall, organized by our Parish Life Committee but supplied by all of us. St. Paul’s will provide coffee, tea and punch, as well as the necessary napkins, plates and plastic ware. Please ask each confirmation family to bring ONE snack to the event.
4. Cost-Sharing. As we have done in the past, we need to cover the costs of this confirmation event. We will incur costs for parking, security, extra chairs, musical support, and printing. As we have in recent years, we will share that cost proportionately based on the number of candidates. If your congregation is not participating in this year’s confirmation service, you do not have to contribute.
B. Rehearsals – We are NOT having the Saturday rehearsal but please note these two:
· Rehearsal for ALL Candidates, Presenters and Clergy: Sunday, April 18 @ 3:00 p.m. @ St. Paul’s. We strongly urge you to organize a caravan from your church to drop kids off for 2:30, with parents and grandparents coming closer to 4 p.m.
· Rehearsal for Companion Choir & Instrumentalists: Sunday, April 18, 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. @ St. Paul’s.
C. Deadline – By Good Friday, April 2, we need the following:
· Names of all your Candidates, Clergy, Sponsors and Presenters.
· Names of all your Companion Choir members – St. Paul’s Music Director, Susan Gadd, is in communication with your music director, but you need to get us the names of those who are singing.
· Names of all who are Assisting in Worship from your parish, e.g., chalice-bearers, acolytes.
· Please be sure the names are typed as you want them printed.
D. Transportation & Parking: We strongly encourage pooled transportation, e.g., a bus or van. You will be directed where to go when you arrive at the mouth of St. Paul’s parking lot on Broadway. We will shuttle you as needed from the various parking lots that we are using.
E. Care for Children, ages 0- 8: Child care will be provided for children under age 9 during the service, starting at 3:30 p.m. If any of your families are going to take advantage of this please ask them to be here early so that they can be settled before the service begins at 4 p.m.
We look forward to celebrating, with you, the new lives we are raising up to share in the life of the Risen Christ – and we are deeply grateful for your commitment to this multiethnic, bilingual celebration, for Christ’s sake!
Yours in Christ,
Rev. David B. Wolf, Rector, St. Paul’s, Paterson
Copies to: Rt. Rev. Mark Beckwith, Bishop, Diocese of Newark; Kay Lark, Assistant to the Bishop; Rev. Rosa Brown-Autry, Associate Rector; Edward Ramos, Communications; Jayne Murphy-Morris and Annette Wignall, Children and Youth; Susan Gadd, Director of Music; Chris Laldee, Sexton; Liturgical Coordinators: Richard Williams, Mary Ann Gloriande, Migdalia Santana, Roberto Cristy; Altar Guild: Dolores Most, Olga Goldsmith; Parish Life Coordinators: Marjorie Walcott, Tomas Cordova, Migdalia Santana; Greeter Coordinators: Ana Hernandez, Annette Wignall + St. Paul’s Vestry and District Representatives
